Sitting in Forgetfulness by the Luo River

"A remote place?" He muttered inwardly, his brows furrowed, holding the medicinal pill between two fingers, looking around with undisguised disdain. At last, his gaze lit up at the sight of the lush bamboo grove behind the humble hut.

He moved forward, and in no time slipped into the thicket, vanishing from sight.

Finding a relatively level slab of stone, he sat cross-legged, palms upward, his expression solemn as he swallowed the Sixfold Earth Black Pill.

The impression left by yesterday's Golden Must Spring Mud Pill was so profound for Qin Chuan—it had cleansed the dust from his dantian's qi whirl, raising his cultivation without leaving a single flaw.

Though the ingredients of the Sixfold Earth Black Pill were rather unremarkable, the old man's meticulous demeanor suggested that its efficacy would not disappoint.

This pill was slightly larger than usual, about the size of a thumb nail. Placing it in his mouth, he found it did not dissolve instantly as he had imagined, nor dared he chew or swallow it outright. He could only hold it like a sugar bean, carefully focusing on his heart's decision and the incantation, not daring to be careless.

As he had anticipated, within less than half a cup of tea's time, the pill dissolved into liquid and entered his belly. A mild heat rose within, as if a spirit serpent wished to break free, stirring gently.

The warmth mingled with the qi whirl in his dantian, then seeped into his limbs and bones, sending a tingling numbness below his waist.

"Hm!"

"Something's wrong, something's wrong!" Just a moment ago, all was well, but suddenly his expression changed, as though confronted by something terrifying. He cried out inwardly, but it was too late!

A cold sweat trickled from his nose down his chin onto the stone, and gone was the fresh, dashing demeanor he had after washing up.

His wheat-colored face had turned pale as porcelain, his clenched teeth revealing his poor state. The spirit serpent in his stomach finally broke free, seeking an exit.

Suddenly, he recalled the old man's instruction to find a secluded spot—such treachery! He was utterly exasperated.

Diarrhea!

"Truly shameless!" Realizing what was happening, he dared not delay, tiptoeing off the stone platform, crouching and clutching his stomach, seeking a latrine. But in these wild mountains, where could one be found?

"Ah!" He sighed weakly, as if his passage through the forest amused the wandering Taoist, who burst into laughter.

"This dust, best expelled from the body! Little one, you have no idea how many white hairs you've caused this old man!" The old man, oblivious, puffed his pipe, humming a tune with legs crossed, thoroughly pleased.

Dust could be both benefit and bane, that much was yet to be discussed. But what exactly was it?

It all began with the dantian, which is divided into upper, middle, and lower parts. Mortal ailments have long accumulated, with the Mud Pill residing in the middle dantian, its main component being dust.

The Qi Refining stage has nine levels—Qin Chuan was still at the first. Reaching the sixth confers the acquired realm, at which point one may attempt Foundation Establishment. The ninth level brings the innate realm, though such cases are rare.

But the true purpose of Qi Refining is to cleanse the body of dust; spiritual energy is but a bonus, a secondary gift.

To illustrate: In ancient times, there was no concept of dust—people were born innately gifted, able to refine spiritual energy and establish their foundation with little effort, without needing the Qi Refining stage.

Even today, noble families bathe their newborns in spiritual springs, purging turbidity and opening their acupoints. Lesser clans use secret methods to elevate their offspring. After a bit of refinement, these acquired beings can establish their foundation, spiritual energy merely a bonus.

Foundation Establishment forges the body's base, allowing the absorption and emission of spiritual breath, shaking mountains and rivers, and manifesting extraordinary phenomena.

There are still many secrets within, to be unraveled later.

The realm of transformation stretches across formidable ridges and endless cliffs, Heaven's Gate broken, rivers inscribed upon the land. Muddy ponds and jade pools, waterfalls like stars innumerable.

Mountains and valleys are like overturned bowls or broken swords, myriad in form. The cries of apes and cranes echo mournfully from north to south, piercing the heart. Rainbows of waterfalls span heaven and earth, gentle rain and clouds nourish the land for miles.

From a lofty vantage, within the world, every mountain and spring is a place of immortals. And at the horizon lies the boundless blue sea.

The golden crow rises, sunlight falling upon dew, refracting rainbow-colored mist across the mountain streams.

This mountain is called Forgetting the Self, and the river is called Luo Chuan.

The Falling Sky River runs through heaven and earth, the source of all water in this realm. It is said there were once no rivers or seas, but over countless years, the realm sea appeared. There were once a million green mountains, but over time, most were submerged, leaving but a thousand.

"Are you still dwelling on yesterday's events?" The old man feigned nonchalance, flicking his sleeve, not daring to meet Qin Chuan's livid gaze.

Gone was the heroic demeanor from Qingyang Mountain; now, between his legs, he trembled uncontrollably, his pale face marked by a rare trace of resentment, like a frustrated scholar.

"Enough, take this Small Restorative Pill!" He patted his sleeve, searched his belt, and finally drew a clean porcelain vial from his bosom, uncorked it, and shook out a brownish-yellow pill.

"You think I'll fall for it again?" Qin Chuan raised his hand, turned his face away, and sat against a sturdy cypress, squinting and refusing to speak.

No matter how the old man explained, Qin Chuan ignored him, driving the old man to anger, his beard flying, brow furrowed.

"Fine, don't take it, I'll just eat it myself." He made a show of tossing the pill into his own mouth, crunching it loudly.

"Heh, sir, my apologies—it was necessity, not intent." Qin Chuan repeatedly apologized, his nose twitching as the fragrance wafted along Luo Chuan's banks.

The old man knew he was at fault and, with a smile, tossed another Small Restorative Pill. "I knew you little rascal had tricks up your sleeve—catch!"

Qin Chuan eyed the old man suspiciously, puzzled at how another pill had appeared.

Without thinking further, he mimicked the old man, crunching the pill. Sure enough, in no time, it transformed into clear energy, permeating his limbs and bones, dispelling his weakness.

But now, Qin Chuan's face darkened again.

The old man was still crunching on a sugar bean, making loud noises—if not vocal tricks, what else could it be?

Seeing his amusement was complete, the old man laughed, displaying the glee of a mischievous child.

"Young master, if you hadn't closed your eyes and ignored all reason, how would my mere vocal trick have fooled you?" He spoke between laughs, clutching his belly, unable to straighten, slumping beside Qin Chuan, his wrinkles deepening until he had to pause, out of breath.

"Disgraceful old Taoist!" Qin Chuan had already invoked the Profound Breath Dust Formula, carefully experiencing the alternating cold and warm energy from the Small Restorative Pill, his words devoid of warmth.

"Where did you learn such a heart formula? Why is it so mysterious?" The old man, seeing the formula for the second time, was astonished, scrutinizing Qin Chuan closely.

Qin Chuan remained silent, but a sense of caution arose within him—not toward the old man, who was a cultivator and would soon depart, but toward the world at large. If the old man could discern this secret, so could others. With his meager cultivation, how could he survive under great power?

At this thought, his face twitched, like a taut string loosening.

His face no longer bore its indifferent calm. Perhaps the Profound Breath Dust Formula suppressed his emotions so thoroughly, he could not even manage a normal expression, only a wry smile.

After repeated efforts, he gradually improved. The old man, finding it amusing, observed closely, pondering.

Dividing his attention, Qin Chuan drew upon the clear energy to replenish what was lost from yesterday's bout, while minutely adjusting his facial muscles.

Not until the spring sun rose overhead did he finally mend the greatest flaw.

Occasionally, water splashed from the gorge onto his body, making his heart soar.

The old man sat beside him, clicking his tongue in amazement, sometimes enlightened, his muddy yellow eyes bright.

"Thank you for the Small Restorative Pill!" Qin Chuan stood, brushed off the dust, and bowed deeply, not rising for a long while. This bow was not only for the pill, but for the hidden danger it resolved.

Perhaps it was just a careless word from the old man, but it had saved his life.

"No need for such formality, young master. The ingredients for the Small Restorative Pill, the fire to refine it, all come from heaven and earth. What does it have to do with me? To place this old man alongside heaven and earth is truly shameful!"

"On the contrary, your conduct today has truly opened my eyes! Please accept my bow!" As he spoke, two lines of turbid tears stained his sleeves without his notice.

"So sentimental, hmph! Old man, don't think a pitiful act will make me forget yesterday's grudge!" Qin Chuan waved dismissively, refusing further pointless melancholy.

"Why still so stiff? I've explained the harm of dust to you clearly! That bout yesterday spared you much trouble in the future!" The old man grumbled, his quick tongue sparring with Qin Chuan.

The two argued endlessly, moving steadily along Luo Chuan, drawing nearer to the Falling Sky River.

Though they had only spent three days together, they knew each other's temperament well, as if sharing a chamberpot—kindred spirits, almost like friends of different generations.

"Enough! Stop quarreling! Up ahead is the Ascending Wild I mentioned."

"Oh? Why is the Ascending Wild just a pool of water?" Qin Chuan was puzzled, glancing at the secluded pool.

But soon, his confusion gave way to astonishment, as he seemed to grasp the secret, and was greatly alarmed.

This pool, regardless of breeze or Luo Chuan's splash, remained eternally still, always reflecting the blue sky.

Looking again, the birds flying over the pool vanished, and only their reflections were clear in the water!

"You must have seen the clue. The marvels of this world are endless; even if I lived ten thousand lifetimes, I'd never exhaust them."

"This mountain is called Forgetting the Self."

"Legend has it this mountain once soared a billion feet, a pillar of heaven and earth. But perhaps, having stood here so long, it forgot its rocky heights, leaving only this low mound."